The 5th wheel is gone

Mote wrote:
Good to see there is another 96'r out there.
My truck has the factory camper package so I have the upper overloads and rear sway bar. I've added stable loads and Bilstein shocks. Once I pull the 5th wheel rails out of the bed I'll be able to lower the Lance down 2". Any other suggestions ?

There are several things that will/may influence how you set-up your truck. My experience is that there are major differences in the 2WD and 4WD 1996 vintage Dodges. Mine is a 2WD.

I have had my truck since 2001 and 175,000 miles. I frequently flat tow my Samurai. I carry a 4200 pound TC with no overload springs. I have had the same air bags (in cab controller), Helwig anti-sway bar, and Rancho shocks (in cab controller) since 2001. I did add one leaf to my spring pack, which was a mistake, too stiff without the TC loaded. I installed 245x19.5s about seven years ago. This made a major positive change in road manors. Due to my being a 2WD truck, I had to remove the front wheel well plastic liners. I also added Timbrin bumpstops in the front.

I too still have the 5th wheel rails. I see no reason to remove mine, considering I put 4"x4"s between my TC and truck bed. This allows me to reach over the sides on my truck bed with the TC loaded, gives me more cab to TC clearance for easier washing of the truck and TC.My truck/TC is 10'3" from the ground to its highest point, with the 4"x4"s. I have ran with my TC lower and as much as 4x4s on top of 2x6s, and can't say it changed the road manors enough for me to tell. I prefer the 4x4s due to aesthetics.

If you are not running the 19.5s, you might consider looking into them. They are an absolute must in my opinion. I tried no less than three sets of different 16-inch tires and wheels.

Wayne